Mega Millions Jackpot Hits $1.25B

The Mega Millions jackpot increased to an estimated $1.25 billion after no one beat the odds Tuesday night and won the massive lottery prize, the AP reports. The winning numbers drawn were: 8, 24, 30, 45 ,61, and the yellow ball: 12. No one has won the Mega Millions jackpot since April 18, allowing it to grow larger and larger. The $1.25 billion prize is now one of the largest in US history. (The largest-ever? A $2.04 billion Powerball jackpot from last year.) Tuesday night's drawing for $1.1 billion was the 30th straight without a winner. The next drawing will be Friday.

The lottery drought is due to a combination of poor luck and terrible odds, as the chance of winning the Mega Millions jackpot is 1 in 302.6 million. The odds of winning smaller prizes, ranging from $2 to $1 million, are significantly better. The new $1.25 billion jackpot is for a sole winner who chooses to collect through an annuity, with annual payments over 30 years. A sole winner who opts for a lump sum payment would receive an estimated $625.3 million. Winners also would be subject to federal taxes, and many states also tax lottery winnings. Mega Millions is played in 45 states, Washington, DC, and the US Virgin Islands.

(More Mega Millions stories.)